Super Easy Fruit Cake Filling - With Only 4 Ingredients!

Name: Super Easy Fruit Cake Filling - With Only 4 Ingredients!
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds triple berry mix (frozen); 1 cup sugar; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp cornstarch (plus more if needed)

↓ Jump to Recipe

With only 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes, you can have a fruit filling for cake or pie that is hands-down better than any canned filling. But don't stop there, this is also great inside turnovers, or as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and french toast.

This fruit cake filling is going to blow your mind. And your nostrils. Really. Just try simmering this on the stove. It's better than a candle! Plus it makes the perfect air freshener if you're trying to sell your house. So yummy!

🥇 Why it’s great!

The best thing is that this recipe is so versatile. It can be used in between layers of cake, as a pie filling, inside turnovers or hand pies, drizzled on ice cream, but it is also amazing on breakfast staples like pancakes, waffles or french toast.
It takes 4 simple ingredients that you probably have in your freezer and pantry already. Use the frozen fruit of your choice or even substitute fresh berries.
From start to finish it takes no longer than 10 minutes. Plus it has incredible flavor! Bam! Homemade deliciousness in a jiffy.

For more dessert toppings that use berries, try this Strawberry Topping For Cheesecake Recipe.

Spoonful of fruit filling made with mixed berries.

🍓 Ingredients

You only need 4 simple ingredients for this recipe.

Fruit: We use frozen mixed berries, but feel free to use one type if you prefer.
Sugar: Even though seasonal berries are sweet, a little sugar is essential for getting the best cake filling to the correct consistency.
Lemon juice: A touch of lemon juice brings out the flavor of the berries.
Cornstarch: The perfect thickener for mixed berry cake filling.

🎂How to make easy fruit filling for cakes

Berries cooked down with lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch.

Combine sugar, berries, lemon juice, and cornstarch into saucepan over low to medium heat.

A spoon testing the thickness of fruit filling.

Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Straining berries for fruit filling to be used in cakes, pies, or tarts.

For a chunkier sauce use a fork or potato masher to press the largest pieces into smaller bites. It's a great filling as is, but if you want a smoother texture feel free to blend it with an immersion blender to your desired consistency. For an even smoother sauce strain the blended sauce through a metal strainer to remove the seeds.

Bowl full of strained filling made with frozen fruit.

Allow the filling to cool to room temperature before using. Store in an airtight container or in a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap. Note: It will get a thicker consistency as it cools.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

This recipe makes 4 cups of fruit filling, which typically serves about 12-16 people when used as a topping or sauce. You can easily double or triple the recipes in a large pot to serve more.

👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

If you realize you want a thicker sauce after you've started cooking it, do not add more cornstarch directly to the sauce. For best results, whisk each additional tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then add to sauce and continue cooking until thickened.

🙋 Questions & Answers

How long does berry cake filling last in the fridge?

If you store it in a sealed container or jar in the fridge it will keep well for 7-10 days. Allow it to cool before storing in order to prevent condensation, which will add extra water to the sauce.

Can I use fresh berries instead of frozen?

Yes, you can substitute with 7-8 cups of fresh blueberries, fresh blackberries, fresh raspberries, or fresh strawberries. A fresh fruit filling for all types of sweet desserts.

What berries are in mixed berries?

Frozen triple berries is a mix of blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. However, some mixed berry packages may include strawberries as well. You can use triple berries or mixed berries - both are equally delicious!

How do you thicken berry filling?

This delicious recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the sauce. The thickness can be adjusted depending on the use. If you want a filling instead of a sauce, use more cornstarch for extra thickness (see recipe card). Also know that the sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.

What is cake filling?

Cake filling is meant to go in between layers of cake. Lemon curd, chantilly cream, berry sauce, chocolate ganache, frostings, compote, and whipped cream are all popular cake filling options.

Fruit cake filling in tall glass jars ready to go in between layers of cake.

📖 How to use berry cake filling

Spoon some of it on top of shortcake, sponge cake, angel food cake or this Lemon Loaf Cake. Add a dollop of whipped cream and you are good to go!
This makes a perfect pairing for these Famous Farm Pancakes, french toast, for waffles, or for crepes.
It has the perfect flavor as a filling for this Berry Cobbler with Cake Mix!
Berry Fool is an easy recipe and a great way to serve a low heat dessert. Take heavy whipping cream and whip on medium speed until soft peaks are formed - avoid allowing the heavy cream to reach stiff peaks. Them spoon a dollop into a glass. Top with a spoonful of this mixed berry cake filling. Repeat until the glass is full. A great idea for when you have a little cake filling leftover.
Serve it over ice cream, in a pie, in turnovers, or in hand pies.

🎂 Delicious cakes:

Lemon Coffee Cake: Lemon Cake recipes are made even more delicious with fresh lemon curd plus a little lemon zest.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cake: The yellow cake ingredients, including a raspberry filling and whipped cream frosting top of the cake, come together to create a perfect cake. A good idea for anyone who loves fruity cakes.
Chocolate Cake: With coffee in every part of this chocolate layer cake, it's next level delicious for any special occasion. It's an amazing rich chocolate cake with moist crumbs, and, instead of American buttercream or chocolate ganache, it's topped with an easy fudge chocolate frosting.
Carrot Cake with Pineapple And Coconut Bundt Cake: Whipped cream cheese frosting on top of a perfectly spiced carrot Bundt cake. A favorite sweet treat!

Connect with us!

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating to let us know how it is! We’d also love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. Tag @borrowedbites or hashtag #borrowedbites to show us your food!

Recipe